Real teachers, lots of science and a touch of Taylor Mali in government’s new recruitment advert

The Department for Education is hoping a new TV advert will help with teacher recruitment.

The advert, released today online and due to air over the coming weeks during shows such as Jonathan Ross on ITV, Channel 4’s Gogglebox and drama NCIS on Channel 5, opens with the question “what does a good teacher make these days?”, which might sound familiar to fans of educator and poet Taylor Mali.

The 55-second video features several classroom scenes, with an apparent focus on science, and real teachers, including Mat Galvin assistant head and head of science at the Firth Park Academy in Sheffield and James Stagg, Mandarin subject leader at the Harris Academy South Norwood in London.